Christian MPA shot dead by own guard in Quetta

National Party's Handery Masieh killed outside his residence; Home secretary rules out involvement of militant group.


Web Desk/qaiser Butt June 14, 2014
Handery Masieh's relatives mourn his death at the Civil Hospital in Quetta, PHOTO: PPI

QUETTA: A Christian member of the Balochistan Assembly was gunned down by his own security guard in Quetta on Saturday, Balochistan Home Secretary Akbar Durrani said.

National Party's Handery Masieh was reportedly shot twice in his neck and chest outside his residence, according to reports. He was shifted to the Civil Hospital, where he passed away.

His nephew was also injured in the attack.

Masieh belonged to Mastung, about 40 kilometres southeast of Quetta. The MPA, said to be in his early forties, was elected in the Balochistan Assembly on a reserved seat for minorities from the NM-65 constituency.

Home Secretary Durrani confirmed the incident and said that a bitter exchange of words between the nephew of the MPA and the accused security guard, Mohuddin Baloch, resulted in Masieh’s killing.

Masieh was trying to breakup the argument when Mohuddin opened fire on him.

Police have arrested the father and brothers of the accused, who fled the scene soon after the incident. “He abandoned his official gun on the spot and ran away,” Durrani added.

Mohuddin, also a resident of Mastung, was one of four security guards provided to the assassinated MPA by the provincial government.

He was handpicked by Masieh himself. “In fact, Mohuddin was an old associate of Masieh, who was serving in an NGO established 10 years  before he bacame an MPA.

The home secretary ruled out the possibility of any militant organisation’s involvement in the killing, and added the police is trying its best to trace the accused.

Although Masieh was a Punjabi Catholic Christian and not a Baloch, his name was officially changed to Handery Masieh Baloch when he joined the National Party.

He was known to take care of a church in Mastung, and would often preach Christian literature.

A two-minute silence was observed in the National Assembly for the deceased MPA. Various political parties including the Pakistan Peoples Party, Muttahida Qaumi Movement and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf condemned the killing, and the incident is being discussed in the National Assembly.

The deceased MPA's body is being taken to Mastung, where the funeral prayers will be held tomorrow.

COMMENTS (79)

nazarbaaz | 10 years ago | Reply

@Jibran: you are saying that based on any proof? killer was with him for 10 years why not then? Thanks for adding into frustration, for pumping people against their Muslims countrymen and ya.. what about hiding your face under a pseudo name? any reason for hiding who are you so that I could know about your nationality, religion and or sect... Additionally, for sicks its a game, for me, its another person killed and for you its your pleasure to poke fun using dead bodies... shame

omer | 10 years ago | Reply

@Parvez: it was personal enmity not some religious hatred

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